by captrmetz » March 6, 2017, 1:04 pm
RCRVRD - Boy my life started over half a half century ago sailing the lakes and my radar is out of tune as far as dates go but here goes.!
I saw my first ship upbound on Lake Superior while boating to Isle Royale and when we got alongside of the ship and the mate walked out of the pilot house door with a coffee in his hand and waved to us, at that moment I said out loud, "That is the job for me" I remember the day was beautiful with calm seas and a clear sky, the other guys thought I was just talking. But that scene did something to me.
I knew a guy who had sailed before so I asked him how do I get a job sailing and he told me to go to Duluth to talk to Mike at the Lake Carriers Assoc. Mike got me my first job as deckhand on the Thomas Wilson in 1963 and I retired in 1999 as Captain.
I loved sailing and I thought if I have to be out here I want to make the most money I can and I got enough time in to write for my AB card when I got that the captain put me as deck watch, then a watchmen retired and they put me AB watchmen, I asked the skipper permission to learn how to wheel and when I got good at wheeling the ship I got a wheelsman job. I sailed for a few years then I got a skipper job on a tug boat after I wrote for my license. I was skipper on that tug for seven years towing barges across Lake Superior. I went back on the lakes and wrote for my First Class Pilot License but time's were tough and I could not get a skipper's job.
Then I moved to Canada because my Dad was Canadian said I could get a job on a Canadian ship, so my Dad sponsored me and I moved to Thunder Bay and got a wheeling job on the S/S Georgian Bay. Canada would not accept my U.S. license so I had to go back to Nav. school and wrote for my 2nd mates, when I had enough time I wrote for my First Mate License and still wanted to make the most money so I wrote for my Masters which I received in 1979.
My first mates job was on the M/V Incan Superior and I think I sailed for them around 8 years. My second job was with Soo River Co as 1st mate till I made so many trips up & down the seaway until I knew the rivers then I went 2nd captain for awhile then I got my own ship to sail as captain.
My first ship was the H.C. Heimbecker, then Soo River Trader, and Judith M. Pierson. When Soo River sold out to P&H Shipping they scrapped a few old ship so I went relieving skipper on all their ships till my retirement in 1999.
I made my money and never want to go back sailing ever again. Sailing like I knew it is gone forever. But I still think if a fellow could follow my footsteps he could do it today.
Guest - The E.J. Newberry was a good ship, handled very well and small enough to get into these small ports. I think she still had her original pilot house. I never had any trouble with her.
Again I would like to say Thank You for all of your kind remarks ....
- Attachments
-
- First time i ever saw a Steamboat.
-
- E.J. Newberry fine looking ship
-
- Newberry Welland Canal
-
- E.J. Newberry's bow.
RCRVRD - Boy my life started over half a half century ago sailing the lakes and my radar is out of tune as far as dates go but here goes.!
I saw my first ship upbound on Lake Superior while boating to Isle Royale and when we got alongside of the ship and the mate walked out of the pilot house door with a coffee in his hand and waved to us, at that moment I said out loud, "That is the job for me" I remember the day was beautiful with calm seas and a clear sky, the other guys thought I was just talking. But that scene did something to me.
I knew a guy who had sailed before so I asked him how do I get a job sailing and he told me to go to Duluth to talk to Mike at the Lake Carriers Assoc. Mike got me my first job as deckhand on the Thomas Wilson in 1963 and I retired in 1999 as Captain.
I loved sailing and I thought if I have to be out here I want to make the most money I can and I got enough time in to write for my AB card when I got that the captain put me as deck watch, then a watchmen retired and they put me AB watchmen, I asked the skipper permission to learn how to wheel and when I got good at wheeling the ship I got a wheelsman job. I sailed for a few years then I got a skipper job on a tug boat after I wrote for my license. I was skipper on that tug for seven years towing barges across Lake Superior. I went back on the lakes and wrote for my First Class Pilot License but time's were tough and I could not get a skipper's job.
Then I moved to Canada because my Dad was Canadian said I could get a job on a Canadian ship, so my Dad sponsored me and I moved to Thunder Bay and got a wheeling job on the S/S Georgian Bay. Canada would not accept my U.S. license so I had to go back to Nav. school and wrote for my 2nd mates, when I had enough time I wrote for my First Mate License and still wanted to make the most money so I wrote for my Masters which I received in 1979.
My first mates job was on the M/V Incan Superior and I think I sailed for them around 8 years. My second job was with Soo River Co as 1st mate till I made so many trips up & down the seaway until I knew the rivers then I went 2nd captain for awhile then I got my own ship to sail as captain.
My first ship was the H.C. Heimbecker, then Soo River Trader, and Judith M. Pierson. When Soo River sold out to P&H Shipping they scrapped a few old ship so I went relieving skipper on all their ships till my retirement in 1999.
I made my money and never want to go back sailing ever again. Sailing like I knew it is gone forever. But I still think if a fellow could follow my footsteps he could do it today.
Guest - The E.J. Newberry was a good ship, handled very well and small enough to get into these small ports. I think she still had her original pilot house. I never had any trouble with her.
Again I would like to say Thank You for all of your kind remarks ....